Thursday, September 26, 2013

What is that flower?

We
have had a lot of people asking if we know what that clump forming yellow daisy
or sunflower is that’s in full bloom now.

That
flower is called the Maximilian Sunflower, but is also known as Michaelmas Daisy.
It is native to the eastern half of North America. Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus
maximiliani) is a clump or colony forming perennial herb. It spreads
vegetatively by sprouting from a rhizome. Its thick
rhizome is edible similar to the Jerusalem artichoke. It also reproduces by seed but most are eaten by birds.

Maximilian
Sunflower produces numerous tall, leafy, unbranched stems in each colony. These
stems may be as short as 3 feet or as tall as 10 feet. Leaves are long and
narrow.

At the top of each of these stems are numerous yellow flowers produced
on short stalks.

The
Maximilian Sunflower blooms in early fall with an incredible display of
brilliant yellow. It is a great addition to the landscape bringing color at
seasons end. Use them in borders,